Xp Mods

[Mighty_Jah]

Anyone using any XP mods?

Ive been digging about...over the last few weeks...getting some info on..hacking Xp, to reduce its intall size, install my fave progs and generally, look a bit more interesting than it does at the moment, Ive tried themes, transformations, dedicated theme managers etc

Ive finally, landed on the Vista transformation pack, and after trashing a lot of other resource hungry themes, I think this one deserves a look at, all I need to do now is find a way of implementing it into an unnattended setup, for a nice looking, fast installing, walk away solution.

Anyone got any other mods/hacks theyve used?

A few examples Here of VT4 in action >> http://www.jcxp.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7552

Vista Transformation Pack V4...Get it here >> http://www.jcxp.net/forums/index.php...showtopic=7006


Regards Mighty... :wink:

[Sleepy]

I am almost certain that there is a Vista theme available as an add-on to the fabulous nLite program. If you take a gander over to here for the nLite program:

http://www.nliteos.com

Then proceed over to the forums here:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=89

You will probably find it in the Application Add-Ons bit! The actual MSFN Forum itself is a wealth of very useful information. I thouroughly recommend taking a look. Be warned though, you could lose a good few hours in there :wink:

[Belso]

I've always used Tweak UI which is a Microsoft Power Toy.
For the smaller tweaks.

The Vista theme is wicked, so why not just install the Beta?
I have it dual booted with Windows XP and its excellent.

http://www.nliteos.com/ Try this. Stripped down version of Windows XP. If you push it you can get the installation to under 140mb.

http://www.themexp.org/ Is good for more advanced Hacks. Loads of different ones on there.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article05-013 Remove the Recycle Bin. I used this when i wanted a blank desktop.

But yeah, loads of different hacks and tricks everywhere!!

[Mighty_Jah]

mY xP...vISTA pIMPED >> http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ScreenGrab.jpg

Regards Mighty... :wink:

[Robin]

Very swish... Aren't these things an unecessary drain on valuable game resources tho?

[Mighty_Jah]

Agreed...Rob....Ive been looking around to see which ones are the least draining resource wise, and I think the V4 transformation when a couple of things are dissabled on install, the likes of the glass option, which I find really annoying as you can see through your browser to your desktop

Coupled with a nice task manager wintask or equivalent its not much drain.

As I prefer less lag, than a nice looking frontend..!

Although I'm Loathe to buy Vista and wouldnt really trust its backdoor shinanagins..etc

Regards Mighty... :wink:

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[Robin]

I am dreading all this poncy chaff that will be all over Vista. All it does is distract from getting to what you want on your PC.

I don't spend 400 quid on a 1GB graphics card to have half of its power diverted to making my windows semi transparent.

[Lovefist233]

im sure you can turn off all the poncy bits in vista

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[Robin]

Selling to me is a very hard job. I love to poke holes in theories, shoot down arguments and argue with utility companies... Argh. I am starting to sound like my dad!

<puts on slippers grumbles a lot about young people nowadays>

[Belso]

[quote:e39b375d0d=\"Lovefist233\"]im sure you can turn off all the poncy bits in vista[/quote:e39b375d0d]

You can, there will be like 7 different versions of Vista. 8)

[Mighty_Jah]

Just wanted to give an overall view of the mods for xp that are available.
Some Ive used are chunky as hell on CPU drain depending on whats left in/out of the start up, but I suppose if I'm gaming, as per usual I would kill any unnecessary apps Msn, Mods and niceties.

Ok first up is.....

1.WindowBlinds.
WindowBlinds is a program that enables users to personalize their Windows XP PC with thousands of different visual styles.
Window Blinds has come on a bit recently, I remember the first windowblinds themes, not really that good looking and a proper chip drain, they seem to have got a lot more sophisticated and also smaller in size and less demanding on poor old Chippy.
http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/
Screenies XBOX Version theme >> http://www.wincustomize.com/Preview....ia/wb/5603.jpg
Vista-ish Style >> http://www.stardock.com/products/win.../wb-july03.jpg

2.DesktopX.
DesktopX, another contender from the Stardock stable of mods, has a few more widgets n dongles, although seems to be less intensive on CPU and quicker reaction on startup.
http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/
Screenies >> http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/index.7.jpg

3.WinStep.
A similar product to both DesktoX and Windowblinds, allowing the user to fully customise the appearance of the XP intallation, although this time its $39.00 Dollars bout £21 quid or there abouts, cant really comment on its abilities, solidity etc as Im not forkin out cash for sumit I can get free.
http://www.winstep.net/default.asp
Screenies >> http://www.winstep.net/images/screenshots/aero.jpg

4.SkinStudio.
Just incase you fancy knockin up your own style of theme, SkinStudio is a program that lets you design your own graphical user interfaces that can then be applied to Microsoft Windows or various programs on Windows such as Windows Media Player.
http://www.skinstudio.net/
Screenies >> http://www.stardock.com/products/ski...ges/mainss.jpg

5.Vista Transformation Pack V4
Vista Transformation Pack has finally come out! Despite the name Vista, you'll get whole new update and more functions. Get the awesome Vista look today! (If you want to make your PC looks like Vista not Longhorn stuffs related, it's highly recommended to get Lite version instead)
http://www.tcmagazine.info/modules.p...on=show&id=403
Screenies >> http://files.tcmagazine.info/windows...ns/vitrans.jpg

Some other Stardock Products, for you to look over, some Id say absolutely useless, some quite nice in the way you can adapt exactly which bits you want and which to ditch.
http://www.stardock.com/products.asp (P.s. I dont work for Stardock!)

If I can save someone the hassle and annoyance of some of the progz and skinners Ive used, and shed some light on some of the better ones, then at-least someone might get some insight from this post.... :wink:

Here's what I use

Vista Transformation Pack V4, with most of the big bits taken out and the awfull Glass seethrough bit dissabled on install, DesktopX for the Widgets only, widget is named Blue on Black, LogonStudio and BootSkin, to totally convert both the Load screen and the login interface.

Screenies Below:

Boot Screen >> http://skins3.wincustomize.com/BigAc...tskin/6282.jpg

Logon Screen >> http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...jah/Logins.jpg

Main Desktop >> http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ah/Desktop.jpg

Widgets >> http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ah/Widgets.jpg

Processes in use under load >> http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3.../processes.jpg

Hope any info or links help out if your looking to Pimp your Xp Installation.

Greets Mighty... :wink:

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[Mighty_Jah]

fOR those of us, who cant afford decent versions of Vista, or like me wont touch it with a barge pole just yet.(Till some kid strips it to barebones)

Flip 3d for XP



http://www.otakusoftware.com/topdesk/

Should raise a few moans from the Vista elite crew....

Mighty... :wink: